ultralytics/docs/en/guides/heatmaps.md

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Advanced Data Visualization: Heatmaps using Ultralytics YOLO11 🚀

Introduction to Heatmaps

A heatmap generated with Ultralytics YOLO11 transforms complex data into a vibrant, color-coded matrix. This visual tool employs a spectrum of colors to represent varying data values, where warmer hues indicate higher intensities and cooler tones signify lower values. Heatmaps excel in visualizing intricate data patterns, correlations, and anomalies, offering an accessible and engaging approach to data interpretation across diverse domains.

Watch: Heatmaps using Ultralytics YOLO11

Why Choose Heatmaps for Data Analysis?

• Intuitive Data Distribution Visualization: Heatmaps simplify the comprehension of data concentration and distribution, converting complex datasets into easy-to-understand visual formats.
• Efficient Pattern Detection: By visualizing data in heatmap format, it becomes easier to spot trends, clusters, and outliers, facilitating quicker analysis and insights.
• Enhanced Spatial Analysis and Decision-Making: Heatmaps are instrumental in illustrating spatial relationships, aiding in decision-making processes in sectors such as business intelligence, environmental studies, and urban planning.

Real World Applications

Transportation	Retail
Ultralytics YOLO11 Transportation Heatmap	Ultralytics YOLO11 Retail Heatmap

!!! example "Heatmaps using Ultralytics YOLO"

=== "CLI"

    ```bash
    # Run a heatmap example
    yolo solutions heatmap show=True

    # Pass a source video
    yolo solutions heatmap source="path/to/video.mp4"

    # Pass a custom colormap
    yolo solutions heatmap colormap=cv2.COLORMAP_INFERNO

    # Heatmaps + object counting
    yolo solutions heatmap region="[(20, 400), (1080, 400), (1080, 360), (20, 360)]"
    ```

=== "Python"

    ```python
    import cv2

    from ultralytics import solutions

    cap = cv2.VideoCapture("path/to/video.mp4")
    assert cap.isOpened(), "Error reading video file"

    # Video writer
    w, h, fps = (int(cap.get(x)) for x in (cv2.CAP_PROP_FRAME_WIDTH, cv2.CAP_PROP_FRAME_HEIGHT, cv2.CAP_PROP_FPS))
    video_writer = cv2.VideoWriter("heatmap_output.avi", cv2.VideoWriter_fourcc(*"mp4v"), fps, (w, h))

    # For object counting with heatmap, you can pass region points.
    # region_points = [(20, 400), (1080, 400)]                                      # line points
    # region_points = [(20, 400), (1080, 400), (1080, 360), (20, 360)]              # rectangle region
    # region_points = [(20, 400), (1080, 400), (1080, 360), (20, 360), (20, 400)]   # polygon points

    # Initialize heatmap object
    heatmap = solutions.Heatmap(
        show=True,  # display the output
        model="yolo11n.pt",  # path to the YOLO11 model file
        colormap=cv2.COLORMAP_PARULA,  # colormap of heatmap
        # region=region_points,  # object counting with heatmaps, you can pass region_points
        # classes=[0, 2],  # generate heatmap for specific classes i.e person and car.
    )

    # Process video
    while cap.isOpened():
        success, im0 = cap.read()

        if not success:
            print("Video frame is empty or processing is complete.")
            break

        results = heatmap(im0)

        # print(results)  # access the output

        video_writer.write(results.plot_im)  # write the processed frame.

    cap.release()
    video_writer.release()
    cv2.destroyAllWindows()  # destroy all opened windows
    ```

Heatmap() Arguments

Here's a table with the Heatmap arguments:

{% from "macros/solutions-args.md" import param_table %} {{ param_table(["model", "colormap", "show_in", "show_out", "region"]) }}

You can also apply different track arguments in the Heatmap solution.

{% from "macros/track-args.md" import param_table %} {{ param_table(["tracker", "conf", "iou", "classes", "verbose", "device"]) }}

Additionally, the supported visualization arguments are listed below:

{% from "macros/visualization-args.md" import param_table %} {{ param_table(["show", "line_width", "show_conf", "show_labels"]) }}

Heatmap COLORMAPs

Colormap Name	Description
cv::COLORMAP_AUTUMN	Autumn color map
cv::COLORMAP_BONE	Bone color map
cv::COLORMAP_JET	Jet color map
cv::COLORMAP_WINTER	Winter color map
cv::COLORMAP_RAINBOW	Rainbow color map
cv::COLORMAP_OCEAN	Ocean color map
cv::COLORMAP_SUMMER	Summer color map
cv::COLORMAP_SPRING	Spring color map
cv::COLORMAP_COOL	Cool color map
cv::COLORMAP_HSV	HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value) color map
cv::COLORMAP_PINK	Pink color map
cv::COLORMAP_HOT	Hot color map
cv::COLORMAP_PARULA	Parula color map
cv::COLORMAP_MAGMA	Magma color map
cv::COLORMAP_INFERNO	Inferno color map
cv::COLORMAP_PLASMA	Plasma color map
cv::COLORMAP_VIRIDIS	Viridis color map
cv::COLORMAP_CIVIDIS	Cividis color map
cv::COLORMAP_TWILIGHT	Twilight color map
cv::COLORMAP_TWILIGHT_SHIFTED	Shifted Twilight color map
cv::COLORMAP_TURBO	Turbo color map
cv::COLORMAP_DEEPGREEN	Deep Green color map

These colormaps are commonly used for visualizing data with different color representations.

How Heatmaps Work in Ultralytics YOLO11

The Heatmap solution in Ultralytics YOLO11 extends the ObjectCounter class to generate and visualize movement patterns in video streams. When initialized, the solution creates a blank heatmap layer that gets updated as objects move through the frame.

For each detected object, the solution:

1. Tracks the object across frames using YOLO11's tracking capabilities
2. Updates the heatmap intensity at the object's location
3. Applies a selected colormap to visualize the intensity values
4. Overlays the colored heatmap on the original frame

The result is a dynamic visualization that builds up over time, revealing traffic patterns, crowd movements, or other spatial behaviors in your video data.

FAQ

How does Ultralytics YOLO11 generate heatmaps and what are their benefits?

Ultralytics YOLO11 generates heatmaps by transforming complex data into a color-coded matrix where different hues represent data intensities. Heatmaps make it easier to visualize patterns, correlations, and anomalies in the data. Warmer hues indicate higher values, while cooler tones represent lower values. The primary benefits include intuitive visualization of data distribution, efficient pattern detection, and enhanced spatial analysis for decision-making. For more details and configuration options, refer to the Heatmap Configuration section.

Can I use Ultralytics YOLO11 to perform object tracking and generate a heatmap simultaneously?

Yes, Ultralytics YOLO11 supports object tracking and heatmap generation concurrently. This can be achieved through its Heatmap solution integrated with object tracking models. To do so, you need to initialize the heatmap object and use YOLO11's tracking capabilities. Here's a simple example:

import cv2

from ultralytics import solutions

cap = cv2.VideoCapture("path/to/video.mp4")
heatmap = solutions.Heatmap(colormap=cv2.COLORMAP_PARULA, show=True, model="yolo11n.pt")

while cap.isOpened():
    success, im0 = cap.read()
    if not success:
        break
    results = heatmap(im0)
cap.release()
cv2.destroyAllWindows()

For further guidance, check the Tracking Mode page.

What makes Ultralytics YOLO11 heatmaps different from other data visualization tools like those from OpenCV or Matplotlib?

Ultralytics YOLO11 heatmaps are specifically designed for integration with its object detection and tracking models, providing an end-to-end solution for real-time data analysis. Unlike generic visualization tools like OpenCV or Matplotlib, YOLO11 heatmaps are optimized for performance and automated processing, supporting features like persistent tracking, decay factor adjustment, and real-time video overlay. For more information on YOLO11's unique features, visit the Ultralytics YOLO11 Introduction.

How can I visualize only specific object classes in heatmaps using Ultralytics YOLO11?

You can visualize specific object classes by specifying the desired classes in the track() method of the YOLO model. For instance, if you only want to visualize cars and persons (assuming their class indices are 0 and 2), you can set the classes parameter accordingly.

import cv2

from ultralytics import solutions

cap = cv2.VideoCapture("path/to/video.mp4")
heatmap = solutions.Heatmap(show=True, model="yolo11n.pt", classes=[0, 2])

while cap.isOpened():
    success, im0 = cap.read()
    if not success:
        break
    results = heatmap(im0)
cap.release()
cv2.destroyAllWindows()

Why should businesses choose Ultralytics YOLO11 for heatmap generation in data analysis?

Ultralytics YOLO11 offers seamless integration of advanced object detection and real-time heatmap generation, making it an ideal choice for businesses looking to visualize data more effectively. The key advantages include intuitive data distribution visualization, efficient pattern detection, and enhanced spatial analysis for better decision-making. Additionally, YOLO11's cutting-edge features such as persistent tracking, customizable colormaps, and support for various export formats make it superior to other tools like TensorFlow and OpenCV for comprehensive data analysis. Learn more about business applications at Ultralytics Plans.